Blepharoplasty

Your eyes have the fantastic ability to convey your inner spirit. Unfortunately, as the skin on the eyelids is among the thinnest on the body, the eyelids are often the first to show signs of aging. When this occurs, your youthful vitality is replaced with a tired or even haggard appearance. However, this worn-out appearance can be combated by blepharoplasty, which addresses excess skin, fatty tissues, and muscles from the eyelids that contribute to sagging, drooping, or puffiness.

Your Blepharoplasty

Areas of Enhancement

Upper blepharoplasty addresses skin and muscle laxity in the upper eyelid that gives the eye a “hooded” appearance. Here, a small incision is made in the crease of the eyelid to remove excess skin and fatty tissue.

Lower blepharoplasty addresses puffiness or the “bag” under the eyes. Here, an incision is made along the lower lash line or in the internal part of the lower eyelid to tighten skin and remove or redistribute fatty tissue.

While skin laxity can be localized to either the upper or lower eyelid, most patients suffer from a combination of both. Dr. Wilson can perform upper and lower blepharoplasty simultaneously to restore facial harmony and balance.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty addresses skin and muscle laxity in the upper eyelid that gives the eye a “hooded” appearance. Here, a small incision is made in the crease of the eyelid to remove excess skin and fatty tissue.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty addresses puffiness or the “bag” under the eyes. Here, an incision is made along the lower lash line or in the internal part of the lower eyelid to tighten skin and remove or redistribute fatty tissue.

Combined Procedures

While skin laxity can be localized to either the upper or lower eyelid, most patients suffer from a combination of both. Dr. Wilson can perform upper and lower blepharoplasty simultaneously to restore facial harmony and balance.

Your eyes are your most expressive feature; however, when excess skin is present, your expressions are often limited to sadness and fatigue. With blepharoplasty, let your eyes reflect what you feel, whether it is joy, frustration, or excitement.

The excess skin that forms along the eyelids not only affects your aesthetic appearance but can also limit your range of vision. In severe cases, this can make common activities, such as driving, difficult. Blepharoplasty opens your eyes, which allows you to increase your range of vision.

Dr. Wilson believes that the best results are the ones that blend and create harmony with the rest of your facial features. He is dedicated to providing you with natural-looking results that not only refresh your appearance but also increase your confidence in your self-image. You should no longer feel like you need to avoid eye contact with people. Instead, you should show your eyes off with pride.

Rejuvenation

Aging eyelids add years to your appearance in the way of wrinkles and excess skin. Blepharoplasty can tighten and brighten your eyes while eliminating years from your appearance.

Control Over Your Facial Expressions

Your eyes are your most expressive feature; however, when excess skin is present, your expressions are often limited to sadness and fatigue. With blepharoplasty, let your eyes reflect what you feel, whether it is joy, frustration, or excitement.

Increased Field of Vision

The excess skin that forms along the eyelids not only affects your aesthetic appearance but can also limit your range of vision. In severe cases, this can make common activities, such as driving, difficult. Blepharoplasty opens your eyes, which allows you to increase your range of vision.

Natural-Looking, Confidence-Enhancing Results

Dr. Wilson believes that the best results are the ones that blend and create harmony with the rest of your facial features. He is dedicated to providing you with natural-looking results that not only refresh your appearance but also increase your confidence in your self-image. You should no longer feel like you need to avoid eye contact with people. Instead, you should show your eyes off with pride.

Blepharoplasty Concerns

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure; however, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after the operation. Your vision may be impaired during the initial days of your recovery, and you will experience sensitivity to light, which can make activities like watching television or reading uncomfortable. This is normal and will dissipate within a few days. Contact lenses and eye makeup should not be worn until after your stitches have been removed or dissolved, which usually takes about a week. Most patients return to work within one to two weeks; at that time, the healing process is nearly complete. Dr. Wilson advises his patients to refrain from alcohol and tobacco use until after healing is finished.

Although minimal, scarring will occur after surgery. These scars are hidden in the creases of the eye and will fade with time. Dr. Wilson does everything he can to ensure that these scars are as inconspicuous as possible.

Your procedure is performed under anesthesia to prevent any pain. Following the surgery, your eyes may feel itchy, sticky, or watery. These conditions can be treated with prescription eye drops, and any discomfort can be remedied with pain medication. Cold compresses should be used to address any swelling and bruising that may occur.

Blepharoplasty is a safe procedure. Unfortunately, complications may arise, such as anesthesia risks, infection, and bleeding. In severe and very rare situations, there is a potential risk for partial or complete vision loss.

The cost of your blepharoplasty will depend on several factors, such as anesthesia costs, surgical and facility costs, and techniques used. Insurance may help cover the cost if the reason for your surgery is to address significant vision impairment. Dr. Wilson and his staff will provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation at his Huntsville, Alabama office.

Recovery

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure; however, you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after the operation. Your vision may be impaired during the initial days of your recovery, and you will experience sensitivity to light, which can make activities like watching television or reading uncomfortable. This is normal and will dissipate within a few days. Contact lenses and eye makeup should not be worn until after your stitches have been removed or dissolved, which usually takes about a week. Most patients return to work within one to two weeks; at that time, the healing process is nearly complete. Dr. Wilson advises his patients to refrain from alcohol and tobacco use until after healing is finished.

Scars

Although minimal, scarring will occur after surgery. These scars are hidden in the creases of the eye and will fade with time. Dr. Wilson does everything he can to ensure that these scars are as inconspicuous as possible.

Pain

Your procedure is performed under anesthesia to prevent any pain. Following the surgery, your eyes may feel itchy, sticky, or watery. These conditions can be treated with prescription eye drops, and any discomfort can be remedied with pain medication. Cold compresses should be used to address any swelling and bruising that may occur.

Risks

Blepharoplasty is a safe procedure. Unfortunately, complications may arise, such as anesthesia risks, infection, and bleeding. In severe and very rare situations, there is a potential risk for partial or complete vision loss.

Cost

The cost of your blepharoplasty will depend on several factors, such as anesthesia costs, surgical and facility costs, and techniques used. Insurance may help cover the cost if the reason for your surgery is to address significant vision impairment. Dr. Wilson and his staff will provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation at his Huntsville, Alabama office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty suffer from excess tissue on the upper and lower eyelids that obscures their vision. Candidates should be in good general health and have realistic expectations of their results. Patients who suffer from glaucoma, dry eyes, and hyperthyroidism may not be good candidates; however, Dr. Wilson will better be able to determine options for these individuals during the consultation.

Blepharoplasty results are long lasting, if not permanent. However, no surgery can stop the progression and effects of aging. The skin and tissue that is removed during the procedure, though, is gone for good, and any future aging will be less noticeable than if the surgery was not performed.

Blepharoplasty can be combined with a facelift or neck lift to complete your facial rejuvenation. Most commonly, though, blepharoplasty is combined with a brow lift, as these two procedures often go hand in hand. Treating the eyelids without addressing a lax brow or forehead can hinder the results given by blepharoplasty.

It is sometimes difficult to know if your aging eyes are the result of aging eyelids or an aging brow, as they can often create similar symptoms. During your consultation, Dr. Wilson will examine the root of your concerns and advise you on which procedure will best meet your needs.